Combination kitchen tool



"March 4,1924. I I 1,485,535

J. l. STEIN COMBINATION KITCHEN TOOL Filed June 2, 1923 A llllli'naiiilkih mm gwuentoz Patent Mar. 4, 1924.

JOHN I. STEIN, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA.

COMBiNATIO-N KITCHEN TOOL.

Application filed June 2, 1923.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, JoHN I. STEIN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Muncie, in thecounty of Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Kitchen Tools, of which the following is a specification.

he present invention relates to a kitchen tool of the combination type and provides for the grouping together, into a novel unitary structure, of two or more of the various implements employed for the different culinary operations, so that the proper tool will be at hand and convenient for use Whenever required. A further object of the invention is to provide a tool of the 'abovementioned character in which the various tool elements are embodied in a single tool-head equipped with a handle common to all the tool elements and preferably made rotatable with respect to the handle for bringing one. or another of the tool elements into proper position with the handle thus permitting the quick' manipulation of the tool-head in changing over from one element to another. 1

Other important features and advantages of the invention are: It provides for the secure and effective locking of the tool-head against rotation during use of any of the tool elements, and for the release, also, of the tool-head when the same is desired to be revolved for interchanging the tool elements, or removed from the handle for cleaning, repairs, or otherwise; it permits of many variations in the construction and design of both the tool-head and the handle; and it provides, also, for the employment of a tool-head which may be stationary with the handle as well as rotatable therewith.

WVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists more or less in the particular arrangement, construction, and novel combination of parts hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, and wherein:

Figure l is a view, in perspective, of the tool as constructed with a rotary tool-head;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the said tool with the tool-head hereof shown partly in section;

Serial No. 642,965.

Fig; 3 illustrates a modification of the 7 tool in whichjthe' tool-head tionary with the handle; V

Fig. 4 illustrates a variation in the handle structure; and '1 Fig. 5 shows a variation of the rotary tool-head.

Describing the invention in referring more particularly to Figs, 1 and 2 of the drawing, 10 designates the toolhead, which is preferably made in one piece with the various tool elements cast integral therewith and disposed radially about a common center. The particular shape and design of the tool-head will, 'of course, be dependent upon thenumber and style ofimplements to be carried thereby. In the present instance, the head'is' intended to carryfour implements, or'tools, of different types and is accordingly made cruciform in shape with'its various arms presenting the selected tools. Certain of the arms are provided with bladed portions 11 and 12, respectively, the having a continuous is made sta detail, and

former cutting edge as shown and'serving to pro vide a cleaver, while the cutting'edge of the latter is notched or serrated as shown at 13 to provide an ice shave Or chopper. Cer tain other arms of the device are provided with tool elements 14 and 15 respectively, the former being a multiple spike or teeth bearing block constitutinga meat pounder and fish sealer, and the latter consisting of laterally spacedrods disposed across the end of its supporting arm to provide a potato masher. The handle member for the tool head 10 comprises a wooden hand grip l6 and a wire holder 17. The wire rod of the holder is bent attaching shank 18 which engages in a suitable opening in the'hand grip 16, the free ends of the Wire being spaced apart to form a fork in which the tool-head 10 is mounted for rotation. Each end of a fork arm 19 terminates in an eye 20 through. which extends the shank of the axis bolt '21. Engaging the threaded end of the bolt is a wing-nut 22 which when tightened holds the said tool head in fixed relation to the handle member, and when loosened permits the proper adjustment of the same. It will be noted that the arms of the fork are arched in opposite directions between the bolt 21 upon itself to provide an and the hand grip 16, thus allowing for proper clearance between the fork arms and the tool elements of the rotatable head.

To provide for the secure and effective locking of the tool-head against rotation, the head is indented, or otherwise provided, with radially disposed locking grooves 23 arranged concentric with the bolt opening of the head and in line with the radially disposed tool elements. These grooves are provided on both sides of the tool-head, and the arms 19 of the fork are engaged by and set in the grooves as the latter are successively brought into alinement therewith during rotation of the tool-head, as will be readily understood. The eye 20 of each fork arm is suitably accommodated within a central depression 24: about which the groovesradiate in star-like formation and the tightening of the wing nut on the bolt prevents the arms from becoming disengaged with the grooves. When changing over from one tool element to another, the

' nut it merely loosened and the tool-head re 'volved until the desired tool element is in proper position; the fork arms of the holder slipping out of one set of grooves and into the next as the head is rotated, the re-tightening of the nut serving to bind the head and arms together firmly and securely.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a modification of the tool. In this form of tool, the tool-head is non-rotatable and the various tool elements are brought into proper position for use merely by inverting the handle member. It consists of a tool head 10 of flat longitudinal stock presenting a cleaver 11 at one end and a serrated edge 12 at the other end. Auxiliary knives are riveted, as shown at 25, to opposite sides of the head to provide side cutters 26 and 27, respectively. These cutters are each constructed from sheet metal having a serrated edge 28 and a bend 29 for spacing the serrated edge from the side of the center knife 12. This spac ing of the serrated edges of the tool provides for an implement useful either as an ice shave, a meat tenderer, or a fiber cutter. A variation in the construction of the handle member is also shown. The hand grip and wire holder for the tool head is made in one piece and formed either of flat metal, as shown in Fig. 3, or out of spring wire, as shown in Fig. 4. When made of fiat metal it comprises a single strip turned with the edges at the top and bottom and bent upon itself to provide arms of approximately the same length. These arms are riveted together adjacent one end to form the hand grip 16' and are separated forwardly of the riveted portion 30 to fork the tool head 10 to which they are also riveted, as illustrated. When made of wire, the handle member consists merely of a wire rod bent upon itself to provide the loop 16" for the hand grip and then given one twist, as at 31, to reinforce the fork, the arms 19 of which are flattened and pierced with rivet holes in the manner shown.

The particular type of tool head shown in Fig. 3 may also be mounted for rotation, if so desired, in which event it will be made as shown in Fig. 5. Only a slight change is required in the construction of the head and this has to do with the arrangement of the locking grooves, such as employed in Fig. 1. These grooves, indicated at 23', are preferably located in the side cutters 26 and 27 riveted to and forming part of the toolhead and the latter is mounted for rotation in the forked end of a handle member in a manner previously described.

From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages in use and operation of the invention, resulting from the improved construction and novel features thereof, will be readily understood and that further de tailed description is not required.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A kitchen tool of the combination type comprising a toolhead presenting radially disposed 'tool elements, a handle member having a forked end in which the said head is mounted for rotation, and means for clamping the head in fixed relation to the arms of the fort and including locking grooves in the toolhead in which the fork arms set as one or another of the said tool elements is revolved into position with respect to the handle member.

A kitchen tool of the combination type comprising a tool-head presenting radially disposed tool elements, a handle member having a forked end in which the said toolhead is mounted for rotation, and means for clamping the said head. in fixed relation to the said handle member and including radial indentations on opposite sides of the tool-head in line with corresponding tool elements to provide lock grooves in which the arms of the fork set as one or another of the said tool elements is revolved into position with respect to the said handle member.

3. A kitchen tool comprising a head including a member having reverisble tool ends one of which is serrated, side cutters rigidly secured to said member and terminating in serrated ends disposed on opposite sides of the first-mentioned serration and spaced therefrom, a handle member having a forked end in which the head is mounted,

and means for clamping the head in fixed relation to the said handle member including radial indentations formed in the side cutter to receive the arms of the fork therein.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN I. STEIN. 

